kanoroute Leerdam

A trip from Leerdam to Gorinchem on the Linge is 31 km. both ways. With a round through Leerdam 32.5 km (GPS-track).

Kayak rentals:

Leerdam: "De Betuwse Stromen", Veerstoep 3, 4142 LA Leerdam. Tel. 0345-651269.
Heukelum: De Appelgaard Bloesemhof 12, 4161 BA Heukelum. Tel.: 0345-631326.

To the starting point in Leerdam:

From the A15 (Rotterdam - Nijmegen) take exit 29 towards Leerdam. Follow the N848 to Leerdam. Just after the bridge across the Linge you turn left in the direction Oosterwijk. After 400 meters you turn left on the parking place. The stairs to the kayak pier is in the middle.
From the A2 (Utrecht) take exit 12 towards Leerdam. Follow the N484 towards Leerdam. In Leerdam you turn right at a roundabout in the direction Centrum. Then at the next roundabout you turn left in the direction Centrum. You cross a railroad line. Just before the bridge across the Linge you turn right in the direction Oosterwijk. After 400 meters you turn left on the parking place.

Leerdam to Gorinchem

To the left from the starting point is Leerdam, where you can make a short round passed the glass-factory. I chose to first head to Gorinchem and went to the right. You are right outside Leerdam and enjoy the quietness of the river. After 1.5 km. you see the first houses of Heukelum on your left. A little further there is a small marina on your left with a kayak pier. This is an alternative starting point. After a large bend to the left there is bend to the right. In the bend ther is a kayak pier on the left. A little further you pass Kedichem. There is a side-arm to the left, but access is not allowed. After 2.4 km. you pass the foot-ferry between Spijk and Arkel. After 0.9 km. the Linge makes a sharp bend to the left. To the right you see the locks of Arkel in the Achterwetering. You follow the bend to the left. You pass a concrete mortar factory and you pass under a bridge (railroad and A15). From here it is 1.6 km. to the city center of Gorinchem. You go straight on passed the windmill "Nooit Volmaakt". The river ends at the locks to the river Merwede. There is a low side with stairs where you can get out for a break end stretch the legs. To the right is cafetaria La Blique where you can enjoy coffee or tea with excellent home-made pies or quiches. I can recommend the cranberry-cheese cake.
You return the same way. When you arrive at Leerdam you can make a small round passed the glass-factory in the glass museum.